Libs would lose a Vic by-election: Shorten

Federal Labor says the Victorian government doesn't want to force rogue MP Geoff Shaw from parliament because a by-election would turn into referendum on the federal budget.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the Abbott government cuts to health, schools and pensions have gone down like a lead balloon in the Liberal-turned-independent Shaw's Frankston electorate.

Premier Denis Napthine has relied upon his vote to prop up his government, Mr Shorten said.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the last thing Denis Napthine wants is a by-election because we know that any by-election in Australia will become a referendum on Tony Abbott's rotten budget," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

Mr Shaw has declared he would back any Labor no-confidence motion against the coalition government.

But the Victorian Labor opposition is planning to move a motion to have him expelled from parliament.

Mr Shorten said the wheels have come off the state government, and there would not be many people willing to put their hand up to be the Liberal candidate at a by-election.